Flit to fleeting fall festivals
Chicago
What goes up must come down
Objects crafted from gold, silver, obsidian and jade. No, they're not showpieces on your broker's étagère but rather precious materials that tell the epic story of the Aztecs, a civilization that grew from a small group of outsiders to rulers of an empire in 200 years. The Field Museum has assembled nearly 300 amazing artifacts from museums across Mexico and the United States for an exclusive exhibition not be repeated anywhere. The treasures impart a rare view of Aztec art, science, trade, farming, weaponry and religious ceremony. Check the Web site for adjunct programs and events such as crafts, symphony and dance concerts and science talks. Oct. 26 to April 19, 2009 at the Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (312) 922-9410 or fieldmuseum.org.
Brighten your day
Take advantage of spectacular Kodak moments at the Lincoln Park Conservatory's annual Chrysanthemum Flower Show when scads of spider, quill, daisy, brush, anemone, button and daisy mums paint the house in shades of gold, ginger, burgundy, pink, lavender and jade. Flowers artistically mingle with additional plants like grasses, and this year's Asian theme is highlighted with pagodas. Admission and uplifted moods are free. Call (312) 742-7736 or see chicagoparkdistrict.com for details. Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago; through Nov. 30.
Couched in art
Almost 100 international galleries and dealers offer intriguing wares sprinkled around Navy Pier's Festival Hall, some sure to provoke and entertain. The 15th annual exposition of Sculpture Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) also offers special exhibits by globally renowned art museums, arts organizations and artists, and an extensive lecture and film series all included in your admission price. See the world's foremost pieces of contemporary decorative art by Lino Tagliapietra, Dale Chihuly, Ruth Duckworth and Lenore Tawney and others, as well as emerging artists Nov. 7-9. Tickets cost $15 for one day's admission and $25 for a three-day pass. Call (800) 563-7632 or visit sofaexpo.com.
Midwest
Wine, women and walleye
Fishing widows: Surprise your guy with two tickets to Sportsman Lodge in Baudette, Minn., where he can catch multiple species and you can snag multiple martini specials during the fourth annual Pure Indulgence Girls Weekend Nov. 14 and 15. Or, just gather your BFFs for a trip rife with wine, gourmet food, special on-site shopping, pampering spa services, cooking classes, crafts classes, live entertainment, games and door prizes, yoga, water aerobics, Texas Hold 'em workshops and more. Two nights lodging, gourmet five-course dinner with wine pairing and continental breakfast both days costs $119.95 per person. Get details about the all-inclusive weekend package at (877) 452-1130 or see sportsmanslodgelow.com/pureindulgence.
Guys and ghouls go for Galena
October is filled with decisions. First you need to decide on a costume and before you know it, Halloween is over. Thank the charming burg of Galena to stretch it one day longer (Nov. 1) with the largest and spookiest parade in the tri-state area. Floats, costumes, prizes and treats for all ages. Spend the night and see why Galena was named one of the 10 prettiest towns in America by Forbes Traveler. Call (815) 777-9050 or visit galenachamber.com.
Class up the holidays
Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year for all the relatives, including the hard-to-please ones? At least you'll create a holiday tablescape that would make one Martha Stewart quiver - that is, if you attend one of holiday cooking classes at L'ecole de la Maison at The Osthoff Resort at Elkhart Lake in southeast Wisconsin. There's a Thanksgiving Dinner class on Nov. 8 that teaches how to roast a perfect turkey with all the trimmings. The Thanksgiving SOS workshop on Nov. 22 helps you turn out picture-perfect desserts, dinner rolls and more. Other opportunities include a Christmas Cookie Exchange, Elegant Holiday Dinner and French Yule Log classes in December. About three hours from Chicago, the historic Osthoff Resort is tucked among the rolling terrain of the Kettle Moraine Forest. Call (800) 876-3399 or see cookingschoolatosthoff.com.
Worth the Trip
Iceland's a nice land for traveling Americans
Europeans have benefited from the weak dollar by snagging fantastic travel deals to and around the United States, but now it's your turn as long as Iceland floats your boat. The fact is that Iceland's troubled economy means that Americans enjoy the best exchange rate in eons. In 2007, for example, $1 netted just 58 Icelandic krona (ISK). Just this month, $1 grew to equal 105 krona. Icelandair (icelandair.com) recently slashed fares to Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, from New York or Boston to $400 round-trip, about what a one-way fare once cost. That's good for travel Nov. 1 through March 31, 2009. Explore the geysers, rivers, waterfalls, superb shopping and more at icelandtouristboard.com.